red moscow

Chapter 3029

Leviakin took a map and placed it in front of Sokov, saying to him, "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, take a look. On the street near the city hall, there is a church and three buildings. The Germans have established fire support points here, forming a relatively complete defensive system. No matter which direction our commanders and soldiers enter this area from, they will be attacked by fire from several directions."

Sokov raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. He felt that, judging from the location shown on the map, breaking through the German defenses wouldn't be difficult. Just as he was about to speak, Yegorov interrupted, saying, "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, when we went to headquarters to receive our mission, the commander told us about the 'bayonet-on-cannon' tactic you used. But after we implemented it, the results weren't good..."

Sokov was stunned. This tactic, which would later prove to be most effective in urban warfare, had actually failed in the small city of Klyukovo. What was going on?

Thinking of this, he tentatively asked Levyagin and Yegorov, "Comrades, could you take me to see the general situation?"

“Of course.” Levyagin readily agreed to Sokov’s request: “You can see what you want to see from the roof of our command post.”

Led by Levyagin and Yegorov, Sokov and Belkin arrived at the top floor.

The rooftop was pitch black, for fear of encountering German snipers. Fortunately, the firelight from the burning buildings in the distance allowed Sokov to see the battlefield clearly.

“Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, look over there.” Levyagin pointed to a block about five or six hundred meters away and said to Sokov, “Those four relatively intact buildings and a church are the German’s most heavily fortified strongholds. We launched no fewer than ten attacks on this area, but all of them ended in failure.”

Sokov raised his binoculars and looked out over the daytime battlefield. Besides the rubble, there were piles of corpses and several destroyed artillery pieces.

After watching for a while, he put down his binoculars and turned to look at Levyagin and Yegorov beside him: "When you use artillery to attack enemy buildings, you just place the artillery in empty streets?"

"Is something wrong?" Levyagin asked, puzzled. "Only on the street can you be sure of a wide field of fire."

Sokov's facial muscles twitched, and he said with a wry smile, "Comrade General, aren't you just making your artillery targets for the enemy by placing your cannons on the open streets?" He pointed to the buildings and churches in the distance and continued, "If the enemy simply places a few snipers in the bell towers of buildings or churches, they can easily snipe your artillerymen, thus rendering the 'bayonet-to-cannon' tactic ineffective."

"Ah, no wonder I found this tactic ineffective; it turns out I was using it wrong." Levyagin asked Sokov with a wry smile, "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, if you were in command of the troops, what would you do?"

“Look, in front of the building and the church, there are several buildings that have been mostly destroyed,” Sokov said. “If I were in command, I would have the artillery concealed in these buildings and fire at the German firing positions in the building or church across the street to clear the way for our infantry.”

Upon hearing this, Yegorov said to Levyagin, "Comrade Division Commander, I think Lieutenant Colonel Sokov is right. If we really deploy artillery in these buildings, it won't be easy for the enemy's mortars or snipers to destroy our artillery."

Levyagin sighed, then grasped Sokov's hand and said earnestly, "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, our division's attack failed. Now it's up to you."

"Don't worry, Comrade General," Sokov said with a smile, "we will definitely find a way to drive the enemy out of the city."

After leaving the Guards Division headquarters, Belkin said to Sokov, "Comrade Brigade Commander, I think that if we are to win the battle tomorrow during the day, we will probably have to bring in the artillery from outside the city."

“Yes, you’re right.” Sokov nodded and said, “I estimated the distance. The buildings where artillery can be placed are more than 500 meters away from the enemy’s buildings and churches. Our rocket launchers are useless. It is imperative to move the artillery battalion into the city.”

Upon returning to the brigade headquarters, Sokov's expression turned serious. He said to Karsokov, "Comrade Chief of Staff, there are two matters. First, notify all battalion commanders to come to a meeting; second, contact the artillery battalion commander and have him send an artillery company into the city to assist the infantry in their operations."

Karsokov didn't ask why, and just made the call.

A dozen minutes later, the battalion commanders who had received the notification all appeared in the command post.

“Comrade Brigade Commander!” Yefim spoke first, “Why did you call us here in such a hurry? Is there something important?”

“Yes, Captain Yefim.” Sokov did not hide anything and said truthfully, “The reason I gathered you all here is because I have learned some things. If I had not informed you in advance, I am afraid that tomorrow’s attack would have failed.”

Seeing Sokov's serious expression as he spoke, everyone realized the seriousness of the matter, so no one interrupted, but waited quietly for Sokov to reveal the answer.

“Comrades, battalion commanders!” Belkin, sitting next to Sokov, said, “The brigade commander and I just went to the headquarters of the 8th Guards Division to learn about the daytime battle. According to Commander Levyagin, their daytime offensive failed because the enemy used four buildings and a church to build a relatively complete defensive system. No matter which direction the Guards Division’s officers and soldiers attacked from, they would be subjected to concentrated fire. The brigade commander called everyone here to avoid a similar situation in tomorrow’s battle.”

Battalion Commander Captain Alex said dismissively, "Comrade Brigade Commander, to break the enemy's defense system, all we need to do is send up a few artillery pieces, bombard them hard, destroy the exposed firing points, and our troops can rush up."

"Second Battalion Commander," Belkin said to Alexa with a serious expression, "If things were really that simple, we wouldn't need to have a meeting tonight. The commanders and soldiers of the Guards Division also adopted the 'bayonet on the cannon' tactic, attempting to destroy enemy strongpoints and break through their defenses with direct fire, but unfortunately, it ended in failure."

When Belkin said this, everyone was stunned.

In their minds, during every urban battle, no matter how strong the enemy's fortifications were, simply pushing one or two artillery pieces forward, aiming at their firepower, and firing a couple of shots would destroy them, clearing the way for the infantry's advance. Therefore, when they heard that the Guards Division had used the same tactics but ended in failure, they found it utterly unbelievable.

"Comrades, do you know why the Guards Division failed when it used the 'bayonet on a cannon' tactic?" Sokov asked.

But all he got in response was silence; everyone wanted to know why this was happening.

Sokov cleared his throat and continued, “I went to inspect the battlefield with the help of the friendly division commander. Their artillery for direct fire was positioned on the open streets, making them easy targets for German snipers and mortars. I’ve already called the artillery battalion commander and asked him to send an artillery company to assist in the operation. I’m reminding you now, to avoid a repeat of the Guards Division’s situation, all artillery used for direct fire must be deployed in concealed positions, making them difficult for enemy snipers and mortars to destroy. Do you all remember what I’m saying?”

“Understood,” the battalion commanders replied in unison. “Captain Yefim,” Sokov nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Battalion Commander Yefim: “Your battalion will be on the first assault mission tomorrow. If you encounter any difficulties during the battle, remember to call me immediately. Understand?”

"Understood," Yefim nodded in agreement.

“Very good.” Sokov’s gaze swept over everyone, and he asked, “Does anyone have any further questions? If not, we can adjourn the meeting.”

The impromptu military meeting ended abruptly after only a few minutes.

Karsokov asked Sokov with some concern, "Comrade Brigade Commander, do you think our offensive tomorrow will go smoothly?"

Sokov looked at his chief of staff and slowly shook his head: "Before the battle begins, no one can guarantee that we will win tomorrow's battle."

…………

Before dawn, a rapid telephone ring startled Sokov awake from his nap at the table.

He groggily opened his eyes, grabbed the microphone, and held it to his ear, asking weakly, "Hello, who is this?"

Rokossovsky's voice came through the receiver very quickly: "Misha, this is Rokossovsky!"

Upon hearing Rokossovsky's voice, Sokov was instantly wide awake. He stood up abruptly and asked respectfully, "Comrade Commander, you called me so early in the morning. Do you have any new instructions?"

“There are no new instructions,” Rokossovsky said. “I just want to ask, are you confident that we can take Klyukovo today?”

Faced with Rokossovsky's question, Sokov pondered for a moment before replying, "Comrade Commander, if only our brigade participates in the battle, it will probably not be an easy task to completely drive the enemy out of the city. But if you can get our allied forces to take over the area we occupy in time, I think taking Klyukovo should not be a big problem."

Rokossovsky understood Sokov's reasoning. If they occupied an area, they would have to divert some troops to defense. Eventually, they might not have many troops left for offensive operations. But if Sokov's infantry brigade simply advanced, and other units took over the occupied areas, the brigade's combat effectiveness wouldn't be affected. Having grasped this, he readily agreed, "No problem, Misha. I'll call the commanders of the 7th and 8th Guards Divisions and have them send men to take over the areas you occupy as soon as your troops advance."

Hearing Rokossovsky agree to his request, Sokov felt much more at ease. This meant he wouldn't have to worry about diverting most of his troops to defense after occupying so much territory, thus weakening his offensive capabilities. He coughed heavily, cleared his throat, and assured Rokossovsky, "Comrade Commander, please rest assured, I will do everything in my power to recapture Klyukovo today."

Rokossovsky was very satisfied with Sokov's reply, and he nodded with a smile: "Misha, then I'll be waiting for your good news."

After hanging up the phone, Sokov glanced at the time. Although it was still dark, it was already seven in the morning, making it an opportune time to launch an attack.

He picked up the receiver and asked the communications officer to connect him to the battalion command post of the 1st Battalion, saying, "This is Sokov. Please have Captain Yefim answer the phone."

Soon, Captain Yefim's voice came through the receiver: "Comrade Brigade Commander, what are your instructions?"

"Have your troops moved into attack positions?" Sokov asked.

“Yes, Comrade Brigade Commander, all troops have taken up their attack positions,” Yefim replied. “The two 76.2mm guns of the artillery company have also been deployed in suitable positions. Once the attack begins, the artillery comrades will be able to use direct fire to destroy the exposed firing points and clear the way for the infantry to advance.”

"How are the soldiers' morale?"

"They're full of fighting spirit," Yefim said excitedly. "Although the attack isn't supposed to start until eight o'clock, many soldiers in the battalion got up before five to prepare. It seems they can't wait."

Sokov frowned slightly upon hearing this. He had gotten up at four or five in the morning, eagerly awaiting the start of the battle. He wondered if, after waiting for several hours, the soldiers would become exhausted once the excitement wore off.
“Captain Yefim,” Sokov said, feeling this should remind Yefim, “the soldiers have been eagerly awaiting battle for hours. If we continue to wait, they might become exhausted once their excitement wears off. Therefore, I’m considering whether to move the attack time forward.”

"What do you mean by advancing the attack time?" Yefim's tone became equally agitated when he heard Sokov say that the attack time should be advanced: "Comrade Brigade Commander, I'm running out of time too. Rather than waiting anxiously here, it would be more appropriate to launch the attack sooner."

"If we launch an attack now, will all your soldiers be ready to fight?" Sokov asked.

“No problem,” Yefim said confidently. “The commanders and soldiers are all ready for battle and are just waiting for your order to launch an attack on the enemy immediately.”

“Alright.” Since Yefim was so eager for battle, Sokov knew that waiting any longer might lead to unfavorable situations, so he simply moved up the attack time by forty minutes: “Your battalion will officially launch the attack on the enemy at 7:20.”

"Understood, Comrade Brigade Commander." Yefim said excitedly, "I will immediately pass on your order and have the soldiers prepare for the advance attack."

"Comrade Captain," Sokov said into the microphone, "I hope your performance in today's battle will not disappoint me. I wish you good luck!"

"Don't worry, Brigade Commander. Just wait for our good news."

(End of this chapter)